Page 265 - Canadian Dominion Directory 1871 - Partie 1-fusionné

that the standard was an important ousIy cut off, thereby convexting it to
feature in the army and the stm- a temporary banner which was used
dard-bearer was invariably an offi- thus until he was able to provide a
cer of importance.
banner of the correct size and form.
Referring to the Bayeaux Tapes- The esquires used a srnall triangular
try, we see that both standards and pennon. The banner and pennons of
banners were carried by the forces the Middle Ages can be seen
of both sides, though the emblems reflected in modern times Ui the Bags
used appear childish and il is doubt- flown on the ships of the more
and
fui if they bad as rnuch meaning as senior naval cornmanders
did those in Roman times.
vehicles of the commanders in the
Passing to the mediaeval period other two services.
we find a much more concrete sys-
An example of the beautiful ban-
tem introduced which coincided ners of today are those of the
with the growth of heraldry. At this Knights of the Garter and the Bath
tirne land was generally granted to to be found hanging jn St. George's
. the king's favourites or supporters Chapel, Windsor Castle and West-
or, in fact, to anyone who did a ser- minster Abbey, respectively. These
vice to the crown. particularly dur- personal banners show the arms of
ing a campaign. Frequently a titie the Knights to whom they belong
was included, but in return, the and they remain in position during
nobleman, be he baron or knight, the lifetime of the owner.
The origin of ' Colours' also dates
was required to raise a force of so
many fighting men. according to Iiis back to the Middle Ages. As the
rank, who could be calIed upon to feudal forces were replaced by the
fight for the king in case of invasion standing army of the King, it
from abroad or expedition against a became the custom for individuals
to be entrusted with the task of rais-
foreign country.
Each of these landowners had ing regiments. They in turn deputed
taken, or very soon took, a suitable to others the task of raising com-
coat of ams. At the same time, it panies. Thus each company became
became the custom for each to carry accustomed to fighting under its
a banner decorated with his house own captain. This system was vir-
arms thereon in exactly the same tually similar to, tliough a definite
fom as were borne upon Ixis shield, step forward from, d~e feudal system
surcoat and caparison. The banner referred to above. Here the service
was generally square, though occa- was paid, and not given in exchange
sionally it was to be found greater for the right to a piece of land or by
in depth than in Iength. The lowest virtue of being some nobleman's
rank to use a banner was the Knight serf. Many captains possessed arms
Banneret. Other and lesser knights and soon each company fought
and their retainers invariably fol- under its captain's banner. Fre-
lowed somebody else's banner. quently the regiment divided into
These lesser knights. each carried a two sections, the Right Wing and
pennon or srna11 swallow-tailed flag Left Wing, one under the colonel
attached to the head of his lance. and the other under the Lieutenant-
This too was ernblazoned with the Colonel. This, therefore, meant two
arms or badge of its owner. If the or more regimental banners, some-
knight was promoted banneret for times there was division into three
his prowess in the campaign. the parcs; thus the Major too had a ban-
tails of the pennon were ceremoni- ner. Many of these captains did not
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